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GUIDELINES
FOR
USAGE
OF
UNDER GROUND CABLE SYSTEM
OR
OVERHEAD CONDUCTOR SYSTEM
Distribution of electricity involves the transfer of electrical energy from one electric
substation to another electrical substation ( like from 220/33 KV S/S to 33/11 KV S/S
and 33/11 KV S/S to 11/0.4 KV Distribution Transformer S/S etc) through sub-
transmission and distribution lines. These lines may be Overhead lines or Underground
cables. Each of the two types has its merits and demerits.
The choice of Overhead Network or Underground network depends on many factors like
safety requirement, Availability of Right of way, cost , aesthetic look etc. Despite being
expensive, Underground cables have several advantages over OH lines. These are
mostly used where safe clearances for Overhead Network is not available particularly in
densely populated areas. Overhead Network is cheaper, easy to install/upgrade and easy
to maintain.
a. OVERHEAD NETWORK
In overhead power lines, a structure based network is used to transmit electrical energy
from one point to another. It consists of adequate size of conductors , commonly three
conductor in 66 KV , 33 KV or 11 KV lines or four conductor in 11 KV lines or 5 conductor
in LT lines ( 5th conductor for street lighting) for three phase lines and two conductors for
single phase lines suspended through towers or poles and generally comprising of the
items- such as Poles, Conductors, Cross arms, pin insulators, Stay Wires, Stay Rod,
Stay Anchor, Guy Insulator, earthing materials, Guard wire, Barbed wire and Danger
plate etc
The Poles for the electrical network may be a Steel Poles (Tubular Poles, Rolled Steel
Joists and Rails),Concrete Poles (RCCPoles,PCC poles and Pre-Stressed Concrete -
PSC) Pole) of various heights of 9 meters to 13 meters (IS: 5613 (Part 1, 2, 3) depending
on site location, minimum safety clearance and Voltage (230Volts, 415Volts, 11KV and
33KV etc) of the overhead network system. Along with these poles, Rail poles, which
have more strength then other poles, are generally used in overhead network along
and across the Road, Public Places, Residential areas, River crossing etc.
Sometimes, for supporting different voltages on the same poles and to maintain the
adequate clearance between the different lines of different voltage levels, poles with
higher heights are used, and in such cases, guard wires are also provided to prevent
accidental over charging of lines of lower voltage system due to conductor snapping etc.
The conductors for the overhead network can be a bare conductor or an insulated
conductor (ABC) depending on the requirement. It is an important component of
overhead electrical transmission and distribution systems. The choice of conductor
depends on the power carrying capacity, cost, growth of the load, and reliability &
efficiency. While selecting an ideal conductor, some of the following features such as -i)
maximum electrical & thermal capacity and cost effectiveness etc are considered.
As per CEA (Technical Standards for construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines)
regulations 2010, as amended upto date, adequate capacity AAC (All Aluminium
Conductor), AAAC (All Aluminum Alloy Conductor), ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel
Reinforced), ACAR (Aluminum Conductor, Aluminum Reinforce) or any new technology
higher current carrying conductors (AL-59, HLTS etc) may be used in sub –transmission
and Distribution system. Since, the insulations between the conductors is provided by air,
overhead power lines are generally the lowest-cost method of power transmission for
large quantities of electric energy from one point to another.
ABC provide safety to human life when used in congested area and narrow
lane areas.
ABC provides flexibility to use multiple circuits of different voltages strung on
the same set of poles.
ABC provides better adaptability to run concurrently with other overhead
system with bare conductor and also with communication lines without any
interference.
ABC provides insulation resistance to earth in all seasons and negligible
leakage of currents and thereby, the reducing losses due to leakage.
ABC is unaffected by atmosphere pollution.
ABC, also eliminates the theft of energy as it can not be tapped i.e. it prevents
the use of illegal hooks etc. on LT lines in the theft prone areas and helps to
improve the AT&C losses of the system.
b. UNDERGROUND NETWORK
In Under Ground cable system, the power is transferred from one point to another through
underground cables laid in the ground in place of overhead lines on poles/ towers. As
these cables are not exposed to the air/ atmosphere, they are less susceptible to outages
due to various atmospheric conditions like high wind, storm, thunder storms, heavy snow
or ice storms etc. As these cables are not visible on ground, these provide an
aesthetic look to the area as compared to OH lines. However, the U/G cables are more
costly and have to be laid in the proper tranches and also have more restoration time in
case of any fault as compared to OH lines.
While selecting the cables to be used, some of the parameters such as Current carrying
capacity, Voltage drop and short circuit rating are important factors to be considered to
arrive at economical and optimum size of cable.
The cable generally comprises of the conductor, insulation material, bedding, beading/
armoring, and outer sheath etc. Although, the armoring and outer sheath takes care of
the physical safety of cable , adequate care has to be taken by cable manufactures during
manufacturing of the cable.
Normally the lifespan of a cable is about 40 to 50 years. But over the time, the insulation
of cable may get damaged or weakened due to ageing. Wrong handling of cables, such
as damages due to wrong handling/bending or laying of cable also weakens the
insulation of the cables. Normally, some of common cable faults are:
i. a short circuit between two conductor due to failure of insulation between the
conductors
ii. a earth fault, i.e., fault between conductor and ground due to failure of outer
insulation sheath
The choice to use overhead line (OHL) or underground cable (UGC) must be made
keeping in view the safety, reliability and operational constraints. The choice between
OHL and UGC is driven by technical, environmental and economic considerations.
i. COST OF INSTALLATION
Underground network installation is more expensive than OH lines , since the cost
of cables include cable charges along with road restoration charges which make
the per unit coat of UG cabling system several times greater than overhead
system.
v. LINE MODIFICATIONS
Overhead power lines are easily tapped, rerouted or modified to serve customers;
while underground lines are more difficult to modify after the cables have been laid.
Such modifications to underground power lines are more expensive because of the
inability to readily access lines or relocate sections of lines.
xi. AESTHETICS
As UG cables are not visible from outside, these provide a clean and aesthetic view
of the city /town where UG cables are laid. The above space may be used for any
other purposes like making of roads, providing green environment/trees on
sidewalks etc having environmental benefits and increase of property values etc.
xiv. SAFETY
As OH conductor are exposed in air, a minimum safety clearance is required for
the overhead line from any surrounding like surrounding building /trees etc. which
may not be available in densely populated areas, while underground cables do not
require such clearances. Also, the snapping of the overhead conductors in densely
populated areas poses serious safety hazard. Hence, UG cables are preferred in
the densely populated areas.
3. COST ANALYSIS
As discussed above, the estimated cost of the UG cabling system is about 3-4 times than the
equivalent OH system ( like the Est cost of 11 KV OH S/C line with Dog conductor is around
Rs 5-6 Lakh/ km while the Est cost of 1 km of 3 x300 sq mm 11 KV cabling system would be
around Rs 20 Lakh/km). The tentative unit costs of 11 KV OH lines and UG cabling system
are given in Annex. These are only the suggestive figures and the actual costs may vary frm
utility to utility based on there technical requirement / schedule rates etc.
Following is the cost comparison for installation of one kilometer of underground and
Overhead lines:
The above cost may vary depending upon road restoration cost for installation of the
underground cables/ overhead poles. The cost is much higher for installation of underground
cables depending on the nature of the road surface to be disturbed and area of installation
(Metropolitan/Rural area etc).
4. RECOMMENDATION
It may be seen that both overhead & underground network have their own advantage and
disadvantage over each other and also have virtually no cost comparison for cost benefit
analysis. As a sub-transmission and distribution line cover the landscape and population
structure within the city/town/village throughout its length, the choice between OH and U/G
cabling system has be taken based on safety, esthetic look, clearance available, rules and
regulations in force and other factors. The sub transmission and distribution lines may also
be a mix of both as per actual site conditions. Underground power distribution system is an
expensive choice but is mandatory to supply electricity in highly populated areas.
Annex
(NOTE: These are the typical examples of cost estimate of OH line/UG cables.The
actual estimates of the Discoms may differ depending upon their schedules cost
estimates as approved by their competent Authorities in Discoms)
0.50% 1894
Wire,Aluminium Tape
etc) @ 0.5 % of the
material cost
Contingency @3% of
3% 11365
Material Cost
Total Material Cost
392090
(Part-I)
TYPICAL COST ESTIMATE FOR 1KM 11 KV (SINGLE CIRCUIT) OVERHEAD HT LINE
WITH
DOG CONDUCTOR ON STEEL TUBULAR POLE
S. No Particulars Unit Qty Rate Amount(Rs)
*Labour Cost for
execution of the
Scheme, Overhead
charges including
Transportation,
14% 54893
Establishment &
Supervision Charges for
Erection, Testing &
Commissioning
(Part-II)
Total Cost (Part-I+Part-
447082
II)
Say in Rs. Lakhs 4.47
TYPICAL COST ESTIMATE FOR 1 KM HT OVERHEAD LINE WITH 11KV ABC CABLE
WITH SPAN 30 METERS
Sl.No Particulars Unit Qty Rate Amount(Rs)
1 PCC Poles 11 M No. 35 5465 191275
2 ABC Cable 3CX150+150 mm2 Kms 1.02 760013 775213.26
Clamp Suspension LT ABC
3 3X120-150 EA 35 244 8540
SQMM
EYE HOOK ANCHOR/
4 EA 35 118 4130
SUSPENSION CLAMP 300MM
Anchor HT ABC 3CX120 TO 150
5 EA 10 349 3490
SQMM
EYE HOOK ANCHOR/
6 EA 10 118 1180
SUSPENSION CLAMP 300MM
7 Stay Set Complete No 10 1140 11400
8 Stay Wire GI,7/8 SWG kg 100 65 6500
Full clamp assembly (alongwith
9 No 10 57 570
Nuts,Bolts and Washers) for stay
10 Egg insulators No 10 13 130
11 Barbed wire kg 35 68 2380
Pipe earth G.I. 40MMX2.5/3 M
12 'B' EA 40 706 28240
CLASS
13 PIPE HDPE SIZE 25 MM EA 120 22 2640
TYPICAL COST ESTIMATE FOR 1 KM HT OVERHEAD LINE WITH 11KV ABC CABLE
WITH SPAN 30 METERS
14 WIRE STAY GI 7/10 SWG KG 400 65 26000
LUG AL Crimping 70 SQMM
15 XLPE EA 160 20 3200
SINGLE HOLE
GI Strip 25x6 mm , 9 meter for
16 No 7 570 3990
earthing
Phase plate for each phase set
17 Set 35 57 1995
of 3 (on each H-Pole & 4-Pole)
18 Danger Plate No 35 155 5425
19 Number Plate No 35 70 2450
JT. KIT O/D HT ABC
20 3CX150+1CX150 EA 12 1797 21564
HS ONE
COVER INSULATION
21 EA 9 2251 20259
REOPENABLE ON INSULATOR
22 CHANNEL MS SIZE 75X40MM KG 89 65 5785
23 ANGLE MS SIZE 50X50X6MM KG 41 33 1353
24 FLAT GI SIZE 50X6MM KG 15 123 1845
Total Material Cost(Part-I) 1129554
*Labour Cost for execution of the
Scheme,Overhead charges
including Transportation,
Establishment & Supervision 14% 163651
Charges for Erection, Testing &
Commissioning @14% of Total
Material Cost(Part-II)
Total cost in Rs.(Part-I+Part-II) 1332688
Say(Rs. In Lakhs) 13.33
Standard cost estimation report mentioned above shows that installation cost of 11 kV
Underground cable network is nearly 4 times the cost of installation of overhead network of
same voltage rating.
References
1. CEA ( Technical Standards for construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines )
regulations 2010 as amended upto date
IS: 1678, Specification for pre stressed concrete poles for overhead power, traction and
telecommunication lines
IS: 2905, Method of test for concrete poles for overhead power and telecommunications
lines.
IS: 7321, Code of Practice for selection, handling and erection of concrete poles for overhead
power and telecommunication lines